Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.
“Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board, in the press release. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”
“The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” added Levinson. “Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.”
Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.
As COO, Cook was previously responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.
Source: Apple Inc.
Steve Jobs’ letter to the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve
MacDailyNews Take: The end of an astonishing era and the beginning of a new one.
Thank you, Mr. Jobs for everything you have done in an amazing, legendary career. What you have engineered will go down in history as one of the greatest success stories of all time.
Good luck to Mr. Jobs, Chairman of the Board, and to Mr. Cook, Apple Inc.’s new CEO!
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I concur with all the well wishes for Steve, but just want to add that this, I think, is a wise move. Not wanting to think Steve’s health is such that he won’t be around, but would like to think, being CEO is taxing on anyone, let alone one with a medical condition. Get the “shock” factor out of the way, let things settle down, let Steve be Steve, just on Apple’s BoD for however long he wishes. Remember, that PanAm bomber in prison with cancer was released back to Libya because he had 3 months left to live. A year later…
So we may be pleasantly surprised this time next year on the Anniversary of Steve resigning to find Steve doing well as can be and enjoying being on the BoD, Tim working on his style of keynotes coming into his own and Apple still producing revolutionary, magical products for us to enjoy.
Tim is a good choice. Steve is still with Apple and will be till he can no longer use his mind and convey his will. So do not panic. Apple is in good hands and will continue with SJ blessings.
Funny, was just wondering lately how he was going. Time marches on relentlessly when you’re terminally ill.
However long he has left – and I hope it’s a long, long time – I’m glad he lived to see Apple claim its rightful place as tech industry leader.
He didn’t want to be the richest guy in the cemetery, he wanted to change the world. Mission accomplished.
I assume SJ left a very good 5-year plan, which should be good for at least 2 years before it has to be updated. After that, I guess we’ll see. The key will be if Cook understands his (tech) limitations and makes good choices re who in the company to rely on for that.
Very, very sad day.
Steve is an irascible, irreplaceable genius and his company has changed so many lives, touched so many hearts and improved the world in so many ways it is incalculable. His health is paramount now because we shall not see his like again.
Best of luck, Steve. You made Apple insanely great and established a culture of excellence that will live long after we all pass.
This formalizes what had already been put to practice due to Steves illness.
Tim Cook has all the goods: if anyone can live up to Jobs, its him.
The very best is apple and always will be and we all give thanks to you! hope you have a amazing retirement we will all miss you!
Damn cancer…
I’ve got to say that Steve Jobs & Apple have been a very big part of my life since 1987! Steve also has been the perfect example of what America/the American dream is! I personally believe that he has left such a giant impact on the world that we America/Americans should do or make some kind of enshrinement to Steve Jobs…King of innovation!
What a legacy what a corporate culture, what vision.
He is just leaving at the point where he is about to “invade” China. From the looks of the reports coming out now it looks like the Mac will be at 20% at the end of this year. That my friends is huge and I don’t own any stock.
“The end of an astonishing era and the beginning of a new one.
Thank you, Mr. Jobs for everything you have done in an amazing, legendary career. What you have engineered will go down in history as one of the greatest success stories of all time. Good luck to Mr. Jobs, Chairman of the Board, and to Mr. Cook, Apple Inc.’s new CEO!”
Amen.
I doubt this means anything different in terms of Job’s health. It is just a very well-thought-out, well-planned and well-executed “soft” transition to the post-Jobs era at Apple – something that had to happen some day irrespective of health or other issues.
Every day, literally, since the late 1970s I have thanked God that Steve Jobs graced planet Earth. Steve has been a bright shining beacon for me. I knew this day would come, tears and gratefulness for over 30 years of sheer delight. Steve bows out as Apple rides the very top, total class act. Thank you Steve and may you reap the well deserved rewards coming to you as a Titan among men, a laser of intelligence the world has rarely ever seen.
Ditto. Since about 1982.
Steve, you changed the world. And you inspired me. Thank you.
Thank you Steve for everything ,you and your idevices have made the world a better connected planet,and my own life much more enjoyable .
f%#@!!!!!!!!!! my first earthquake yesterday!!!!! now this?!?!? goodbye cruel woooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrllllddddddd………………oh crap, that was the curb….I could have sprained an ankle though:-/
anyway….if it’s true-thankyou Mr. Jobs. I can honestly say my time on the rock has been made that much more tolerable for having used apple products.
…any by “rock” I mean crack. carry-on
What an amazing trip it’s been.
It was a great ride.
Thanks Steve – See you around!
Salute to you, Mr Jobs. Your have not only impacted Apple, the tech industry & even the design world, but also given us, the Mac community, our voice & pride back. We will always remember the dark years when we were rediculed & deemed the underdogs, stepped upon by cheap plastics such as DELL, but so convinced we were using an OS so much more advanced, & so exhilarated when you returned to lead & score with 1 amazing hit after another. It is an indescribable feeling watching relatives, friends, colleagues, bosses etc the world over turning to that first colorful iMac, first Cube, first iPod, first iPhone, first iPad, first MacBook, first Air & subsequently embracing the phenomenal Apple culture. No amount of industrial chemical can wipe off that smug look on our faces with clear invisible words written over our foreheads stating: “IT’S GOOD, WE TOLD YOU SO!!!” You have given us something that goes deep, and not even the label of “fanboys” can shake our belief in the quality of Apple products. This day we are so proud to declare we have all along been the Mac user community. Thank you so very much, Mr Jobs!
Well said. I have never owned anything but macs-too many now to count. It’ss been an amazing ride. Here’s to you Mr Jobs.
Standing ovation on that statement!
*thunderous applause*
hats off to one of the brightest and amazing CEOs in modern era.
few men demand the admiration and respect as much as Mr. Jobs, from friends and foes alike.
interesting times ahead.
Salute to one of the brightest and amazing CEOs in modern era.
few men have earned the admiration and respect as much as Mr. Jobs, from friends and foes alike.
interesting times ahead.
Thank you Steve for all the products and innovations that you gave us. I wish you good luck in your new role. Also my prayers is with you as far as your health. Get well soon. And to you Tim I wish you luck with your new position. Steve has alot of confidence in you. As do I.
Thak you Steve, your vision has changed the world. In a Corporate culture you were able to Think Different.
All the best.
I’m choked up about this. Clearly Steve is on the decline. I dearly appreciate the beautiful gifts he’s given me. A man with brilliance and charisma beyond words, and he went out on top! Thank u, Steve. May a miracle save your life and keep u with us for as long as it can.
I wonder how the people’s reception would be once that other Steve resigns from his post — you know, that tongue-wagging, foot-stomping and grossly sweating buffoon of a boy (for lack of an appropriate term). Well, we don’t want him to resign or leave his post, do we? He can stay there for as long as he wants.
Mr. Jobs’ turtleneck and jeans will be sorely missed at the introduction of innovative Apple products. But hey, he’s still the Chairman of the Board, so he’d still be calling the shots.
As for Mr. Cook, good luck to his new job. He need not copy the image of Steve for that is totally irreplaceable. In due time, he’ll find his niche and I’m excited to know what aces are up on his sleeves.
What can you possibly say, the man even resigns brilliantly.
Live long and be happy, Mr. Jobs.
I did not want to see this day… but I knew it would come… eventually.
*sigh*
*heavy sigh*